Co-Director/Choreographer
Jessica HorrocksJessica's a fine arts jack of all trades and is happy to be using her choreography and directorial skills for Anastasia the Musical. Jessica started out with VTC 23 years ago in Music Man as Zanita but was dancing long before that. She’s done choreography and directed many Ellensburg HS shows, including Singing in the Rain, Thoroughly Modern Milly and Beauty and the Beast. Her awards include “Promising Arts Leader” from the Laughing Horse Arts Foundation (2019) and “Teacher of Distinction” for the Ellensburg School District (2023). She thanks her husband and son for supporting her in this ever changing, crazy endeavor. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Co-Director
Jim DenisonIn addition to directing shows for Valley Theatre Company and the Ellensburg High School Fall Play, Jim regularly appears on-stage in Ellensburg and Yakima (Harold Hill in Music Man; Gomez Addams in Addams Family; Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie; and various other musicals and plays). When not in the theatre Jim is practicing attorney in Ellensburg, but he tells us he only does that work to pay for this theater habit. Jim wants to thank his wife, Christina, and his two daughters, Samantha and Katherine, for their unwavering support while he pursues life on the stage.
Music Director
Elise RhodesElise Vikari Rhodes, hailing from North Bend, Washington, earned a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan. Throughout her career, Elise has performed in numerous roles in both the opera and musical theatre world including Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Countess in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Mother in Dog Days, Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods, Madame Dubonnet in The Boyfriend, and a member of the ensemble in Anything Goes and Oklahoma. Elise has also performed as the Soprano Soloist in multiple performances of Handel’s Messiah across the west. Elise was a District Winner and Northwest Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions in 2018. In 2019, she made her Directorial Debut as the Music Director and Conductor for Jerry Herman’s Hello Dolly!, then again for Rogers and Hammerstein’s State Fair in 2020, both with Ellensburg High School. Elise runs a private music studio out of her home and teaching in all varieties is truly her passion. She is grateful to her wonderful family, Mitchell and Millie, for all their love and support in helping her pursue her love of theater. This is Elise’s fourth production with VTC and she hopes to have many more opportunities to grow as a music director, performer and teacher.
Executive Producer/VTC Executive Director
Jessica Solberg Black
Producer
Adrienne ZimnyAdrienne has been involved in theatre since middle school. She came to Ellensburg to attend CWU, met her husband here and often says “we just got lucky enough to stay after graduation”. She was thrilled to find the Ellensburg Children’s Musical Theatre for her daughter in 2003 and rejoin the theatre community. Her favorite “job” is being a mom and she has been blessed with three amazing children who love the performing arts, giving her great opportunities to be a dance and theatre mom! She works for Central Washington University’s Central Access program managing alternative media production (Braille, tactile graphics, and audio formats) for students with print-related disabilities at CWU and colleges and universities around the country. Adrienne has been a Valley Theatre Company board member since 2012 and has produced several shows. She also serves on the Ellensburg Dance Ensemble board, Ellensburg’s Children’s Musical Theatre, Laughing Horse Arts Foundation, works with the Ellensburg High School’s Fall Play and Winter Musical and helped her son start the Ellensburg High School’s International Thespian Society. She’s incredibly proud of this amazing cast and crew and thankful for all their hard work to bring you the best production you’ll ever see!
Assistant Producer
Easton Benson
Conductor
Andrew Spencer
Stage Manager
Sarah SweetSarah Sweet holds two bachelors degrees from Central Washington University. One degree is a BA in Theatre with a specialization in stage management, while the other is a BA in Film. Sarah's passion for the performing arts blossomed at a young age, and has dedicated life to this creative pursuit. The desire to continuously learn and grow in the world of theatre fuels ambition. Sarah's portfolio includes successful stage management roles in notable productions such as "Spring Awakening," "Holiday Inn," and "Theory of Relativity." Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills have proven invaluable to these shows. Driven by a deep appreciation for the transformative power of theatre, Sarah is committed to creating extraordinary experiences for all involved. Constantly exploring new ways to enhance craft and contribute to the world of stage management.
Costume Designer & Set Designer
Cami ReinkeCami combines her knowledge and love of musical theater with over thirty years of professional interior design and project management experience to help make the Director’s vision a reality for the show. Anastasia the Musical is the twentieth production for which she's been the costumer and/or set designer.
Set Construction Lead
JD ZimnyJD started set construction as a “theatre dad" on one of his son's many shows 11 years ago and just kept building! He has done sets for VTC, Children’s Musical Theatre and the Ellensburg High School’s Fall Plays and Winter Musicals. He’s also helped build puppets with Blue Bear Puppet Studio for parades in Ellensburg. JD has enjoyed following his three children in their passion for the arts. He enjoys meeting and working with cast and crew members. He is forever the “’fix-it’, go get this, that or the other thing” guy and “backup band" for his wife who often serves in producer roles. He hopes you enjoy the show and continue to support the arts!
Costume Assistant
Katie OdiagaKatie grew up dancing from a young age, and got into musical theatre in high school, participating in The Pajama Game, Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods and was cast as Eliza in My Fair Lady. She’s continued to help EHS and VTC with costumes. In her spare time she creates intricate cosplays, and in 2020 her creative work was awarded Best in Show by Cosplay Central’s Virtual Championship of Cosplay, an international competition!
Hair & Makeup Designer
Kelle VandenbergA graduate of Central Washington University and active community member, Kelle has been involved with theatre arts most of her life and is comfortable both on stage and backstage.
In recent years, she directed VTC’s summer production of 9 to 5 and the Fall Cabaret show, the Books of Broadway and most recently designed the hair & makeup for The Odd Couple. In addition to this, Kelle and her husband Tom own Vandenberg Creative Studio, where among other things, they create specialty props, make up, masks, and creatures. Kelle is thrilled to be a part of Anastasia the Musical. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Props Master
Anna IrwinAnna has been working props and lights with Valley Theatre Company for almost three years, and was on props for her four years at Ellensburg High School. She has just finished her first year at the University of Victoria and is back and excited to work on crew again this summer!
Lighting Designer / MPAC Facilities Manager
Mike McCloskeyMike began performing for audiences at age nine when he began a ten-year stint as a competitive dancer. His first foray onto the stage was as a dancer and ensemble member of the musical Family Farm, a musical written by a CWU MFA student. He next was given the opportunity to be a spotlight operator for several EHS and VTC shows. After several years in that role, he had opportunities to call several shows for EHS and assistant stage manage for VTC's Guys and Dolls. VTC's You're a Good Man Charlie Brown led Mike to his first experience operating a light board. Mike's only acting role was as Reverend Hopkins in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. In 2017, when the Morgan Performing Arts Center reopened, Mike attended all the trainings on rigging, sound, and lights. This led to the position of MPAC manager. Since reopening, Mike has done lights for every concert, lecture, ceremony, play, opera, and musical in the MPAC. He also created the MPAC Usher Corps program. He’s excited to be a part of the Anastasia team!
Lighting Operator
Luis Anguiano
Sound Designer
Eric WaltersThis is Eric's seventh production as sound designer with VTC. He's appeared in a few shows in minor roles, but prefers working behind the scenes. The most recent production, The One Act Play That Goes Wrong was his favorite to work on, both because of the hilarious and talented cast and the technical challenges of that type of show. Eric is a computer programmer and lives in Ellensburg with his beautiful family.
Sound Operator
Whitney SwainWhitney started in theater in his hometown of Bloomington, Indiana as part of his high school's theater program, Theatre South. Although he dabbled in acting, his main passion was to be in the tech booth. In college, he became the student sound tech for his arts-centered dormitory, Collins Living Learning Center at Indiana University. After more school, moving to Ellensburg, one real job, an amazing wife, and two wonderful kids all came into his life, his love of running sound was rekindled. He started running sound regularly at Mercer Creek Church and in 2022, he founded his sound production company, Windy City Sound. Whitney joined up with VTC for the first time in 2022 to be the Sound Director for Books of Broadway and is excited to be returning as a part of the sound team for Anastasia!
Sound Operator
Turner EngelhartTurner Englehart has B.M in Music Composition from Central Washington University. This is his second show with VTC, and with Grace as his life partner, it won't be his last! In his spare time, He loves to play and write music, play video games, and hang out with friends and family.
Backstage Crew
Maggie Bello
Backstage Crew
Noah BelloNoah is very excited to be a part of Anastasia the Musical! Noah’s education in musical theatre started in his senior year at Ellensburg High School with The Drowsy Chaperone in 2017. Since then, he has been both on-stage and backstage in numerous VTC productions over the last several years.
Backstage Crew
Kay Nolan
Backstage Crew
Shannon Nolan
Hair & Makeup Assistant
Lisa BrowleitLisa is thrilled to be back with VTC’s production of Anastasia. Lisa has been involved with VTC for years and is often seen on stage, but this year has taken it back with her hair and makeup talents. Past shows she’s been involved with include 9-5, Mama Mia, Guys and Dolls and others. Lisa studied a bit of theatre performance in college at Central Washington university and did theatre all through high school. Lisa works as the Administrative Assistant to the AVP of Information Services at CWU and when not at work is with her two little boys.
Hair & Makeup Assistant
CharRe BurnumCharRé has a minor in child/youth theatre education. Over the past 12 years she has directed VTC fall shows, Rising Stars, and has helped with hair and make-up for VYC, CWU Opera and EHS fall plays. This show is such an exciting opportunity and she is thrilled to be part of it.
Hair & Makeup Assistant
Samantha SotoThe daughter of an oil painter, Samantha was born into the arts. She became enamored of music at age two when introduced to Disney’s Fantasia, and learned to play piano at age five. Growing up, Samantha performed in various school productions for drama club, and joined the school choir, performing solos at the Capitol Theater. She also joined the school band, playing five additional musical instruments. In university, Samantha studied English Language and Literature, Theater and Stage Makeup, and Music. When not involved in theater, she can be found wandering the woods with her husband and children, writing, or cuddling with her three slobbery dogs.
Original Creative Team
Anastasia: The Musical
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Inspired by the Twentieth Century Fox Motion Pictures by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical
From the play by Marcelle Maurette as adapted by Guy Bolton
ANASTASIA is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
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Terrence McNally (1938-2020) (Book) was the recipient of the 2019 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, the 2019 Dramatist Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2019 Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
He won four Tony Awards, for his plays Love! Valour! Compassion! and Master Class and his musical books for Kiss of the Spider Woman (music and lyrics by Kander & Ebb) and Ragtime (music and lyrics by Ahrens & Flaherty). Prior to Anastasia, he also collaborated with Ahrens & Flaherty on the award-winning musical A Man of No Importance.
Stephen Flaherty (Music) has enjoyed a musical partnership with lyricist/bookwriter Lynn Ahrens since 1983. They are considered the foremost theatrical songwriting team of their generation.
For Broadway’s Ragtime they won the Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. They wrote the song score for Twentieth Century Fox’s animated feature film Anastasia, earning two Academy Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations, and also adapted Anastasia theatrically for Broadway and internationally. Their many additional stage credits include Broadway’s Once On This Island (2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical; Tony nominations for Best Score and Book); Seussical (one of the most produced shows in America; Drama Desk nomination for Music); Rocky; Ragtime (Broadway premiere and 2009 revival); Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life; Lincoln Center Theater’s My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance (Best Off-Broadway Musical, Outer Critics Circle), Dessa Rose and The Glorious Ones (Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Music for the latter three); Lucky Stiff; and two upcoming musicals, Knoxville and Marie. Their mutual honors include the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement, London’s Olivier Award and four Grammy nominations. In 2015 they were inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Ahrens and Flaherty are Council members of the Dramatists Guild of America and proud co-founders of the DGF Fellows Program for Emerging Writers.
Individually, Mr. Flaherty composed the score for the dance musical In Your Arms (Old Globe), the musical Loving Repeating (Jefferson Award, Best New Musical) and incidental music for Neil Simon's Proposals (Broadway.) Film credits include Lucky Stiff, After The Storm and others. His concert music has premiered at the Hollywood Bowl, Boston's Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Guggenheim. www.ahrensandflaherty.com
Lynn Ahrens (Lyrics) has enjoyed a musical partnership with composer Stephen Flaherty since 1983. They are considered the foremost theatrical songwriting team of their generation.
For Broadway’s Ragtime, Ahrens and Flaherty won the Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. They wrote the score for Twentieth Century Fox’s animated feature film Anastasia, earning two Academy Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations, and they also adapted the hit musical Anastasia for Broadway. Their many stage credits include Broadway’s Once On This Island and its recent revival (2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical); Seussical (one of the most produced shows in America); Rocky; Ragtime (Broadway premiere and 2009 revival); Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life; Lincoln Center Theater’s My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance, Dessa Rose and The Glorious Ones; Lucky Stiff; and two upcoming musicals, Knoxville and Marie. Their mutual honors include the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement, London’s Olivier Award and four Grammy nominations. In 2015 they were inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Ahrens and Flaherty are Council members of the Dramatists Guild of America and proud co-founders of the DGF Fellows Program for Emerging Writers. www.ahrensandflaherty.com
